Andy Kerckhoff, MA, LPC, NCC

I became a therapist because I love to nudge people toward living in a deeper, wiser, more loving way. I do it because I wish that I had received good counseling early in life as a lonely child in a broken family, as a stressed out teenager, and as a young father dealing with a severely disabled child. However, it wasn’t until midlife that I experienced the healing effects of good therapy which helped me understand my story, develop my inner life, and pursue a richer future. Now, as a therapist, I want my clients to know the healing love of God in a life-changing way. I believe in the power of individual counseling. It is worth the time, energy, and money.

I know the beneficial force that one person can be for others. I also have seen the damage that just one person can do. I believe that if we do not transform our pain, then we will transfer it to others. So while it is true that one person can become a wrecking ball in the world, it is just as true that he or she, with some help, can heal and become a powerful force for good in the world. Therapy is an opportunity to change a corner of the world.

An African proverb states, “a person becomes a person through people.” That is how we change the world. We learn to belong to one another. One relationship at a time. This is why I am a counselor. I want to help people heal so they can connect with and help others.

As a person and as a professional, I love to learn in a variety of ways. While I have enjoyed the benefits of a formal education, most of my learning has come in the cauldron of the real world. I have 27 years of teaching experience in schools and 26 years caring for a severely-disabled child at home. I lead a cohort of seminary students who work through their life stories. I love reading books and listening to podcasts on a variety of topics, such as psychology, theology, health, and outdoor sports. My continuing education classes typically focus on trauma, anxiety, and grief.

In order to meet the varied needs of my clients, I incorporate aspects of the following theories in my daily practice: grief recovery, trauma-informed therapy, Internal Family Systems (IFS), and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT).

Education and Licensure

• Licensed Professional Counselor (Missouri #2019016758)
• National Certified Counselor (NCC #1249944)
• M.A. in Counseling, Missouri Baptist University (2019)
• M.A., Lindenwood University (2001)
• B.A., Baylor University (1993)

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